Engine starter housing and an annular housing extension therefor

Abstract

An annular housing extension for an engine starter housing which facilitates and assists in the installation of the engine starter onto an engine. The annular extension extends from a mounting flange and has an inner diameter to form a cylinder which substantially surrounds and is concentric with a pinion gear of an engine starter. The annular extension may be provided as an integral part of a starter housing or as a separate piece. The annular extension is provided with a leading edge which is rounded to form a chamfer and preferably has a radius of curvature which approaches, and most preferably, equals the diameter of a cylindrical outer wall of the annular extension.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A housing for an engine starter, said housing having a drive portion, comprising: a mounting flange; and   an annular extension extending from said mounting flange and being open at one end to form a cylinder, said cylinder having an inner diameter that substantially surrounds and concentrically receives a pinion gear of said engine starter, and   a cylindrical outer wall having an outer diameter, said cylindrical outer wall comprising a front face which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of said annular extension, and   a leading edge which is rounded to form a chamfer with said front face, said chamfer having a radius of curvature which approaches said outer diameter of said cylindrical outer wall.       
     
     
       2. A housing according to claim 1, wherein said radius of curvature equals said outer diameter of said cylindrical outer wall. 
     
     
       3. An annular housing extension for attachment to a drive portion of an engine starter, said extension comprising a cylinder having: an inner diameter configured to substantially surround and concentrically receive a pinion gear of said engine starter, and   a cylindrical outer wall having an outer diameter, said cylindrical outer wall further comprising a leading edge which is rounded to form a chamfer and has a radius of curvature which approaches said outer diameter or said cylindrical outer wall.   
     
     
       4. An annular housing extension according to claim 3, wherein said radius of curvature equals said outer diameter of said cylindrical outer wall.